Queer UK: rebels and revolutionaries
Under-sung heroes, heroines and trancestors have long battled to make life bearable, better and even brilliant for LGBTIQ+ people in the UK. Join us to celebrate key figures in local history – and groups still battling for change
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 24 Jun 2025End Date: 24 Jun 2025Tue (Evening): 17:30 - 19:30In PersonFull fee £10.00 Senior fee £8.00 Concession £7.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This 2-hour session is part of City Lit’s courses and events marking Pride in June 2025.
Shining a spotlight on the collectives, movements and activists who have been at the forefront of struggles for queer liberation in London and beyond – the quiet rebels and revolutionaries making an impact, without the platforms of celebrities and stars. It’s high time to give them their dues!
What will we cover?
Looking beyond stars and celebreties, we will focus on queer liberation via
- collectives
- movements
- activists
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- identify key actors in the queer liberation movement in Britain
- begin to link UK LGBTQI+ history to wider British history
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This session is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course.
Given the sensitive nature of the topics the session will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This class will feature short lecture style portions with video clips followed by group discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking .
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
- HMI36 Section 28 and Collective Memory: LGBTQ+ Activism, Education, and Resistance
- HPC193 Queer USA: 250 years of struggle and pride
- HCC16 Embodying Culture: An Introduction
- VB936 Tuesday talks: Painted love – homosexuality in Ancient Greek vase painting
- HW683 Queering characterisation: writing LGBTQIA+ characters
- HLT356 Christopher and his Kind: Christopher Isherwood in Berlin
Siobhán McGuirk is an internationally experienced researcher, lecturer, journalist and filmmaker. She has a PhD in Anthropology and her specialisms include migration, LGBTQ+ rights, social justice movements and US history. As a teacher and researcher, she uses creative and collaborative methods designed to bring people together and positively shape the ways we think and act in the world.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.